“Look How Far We’ve Come”
Lover of running, hater of lotus pods, master poet, and beloved professor Dr. Hannah Dow never saw herself becoming a writer, yet she always had a compulsion for storytelling. In the sweet spot where a child knows their letters but can’t quite spell words of their own volition, she would sit at the dining room table and ask:
“Mom, how do you spell [insert every single word]?”
This impulse to commit stories to paper shaped Dow’s future. From that dining room table emerged a talented writer, editor, and mentor driven to create space for students’ voices and help them share their words with the world.
At Missouri Southern, Dow’s work is rooted in that instinct. As a poet, professor, and Faculty Advisor to bordertown, MSSU’s literary magazine, she views her responsibilities as privileges. For her, teaching means cultivating the early sparks that bring students into the Language and Literature department’s creative writing culture.
“I see my role here as nurturing students’ love for writing,” said Dow. “Seeing students grow and become more confident as writers and editors is the most rewarding thing. The world has only something to gain from good people working diligently to create art.”
bordertown, formerly The Winged Lion, has become a cornerstone of the Language and Literature department and a cherished feature of MSSU’s writing community. For 20 years, it has showcased the creative work of MSSU students, prioritized free expression, and strengthened literacy and artistic engagement in Joplin. It provides a space where students discover their voices and take creative risks.
“Many students who submit might have never seen themselves as writers,” Dow said. “But when we accept their pieces, we show them we see something meaningful in their writing. It’s exciting, and it validates them. The first time you see your work in print, it's huge. Being published is the prize they earn for all the hard work they’ve done on their writing.”
One of bordertown’s greatest strengths is its student-driven editorial model. Students submit their poetry, plays, fiction, creative non-fiction, art, and more—but they also oversee the magazine’s production. Dow’s leadership ensures the process mirrors that of renowned literary journals, giving students an immersive publishing experience.
“We publish annually, accepting submissions in the fall,” said Dow. “I anonymize the works, share them with our editorial team, and throughout winter break we read all submissions and vote. In the spring, editors compile the issue, design the layout, proof all content, and I send it to the publisher. Our last grand reveal, the 2025 launch, was especially meaningful. It was standing room only. It gets bigger and better every year.”
Students leave with invaluable hands-on publishing experience.
“In the absence of a publishing program, we offer something where students get real experience in literary publishing on both sides,” said Dow. “Many of our editors and contributors go on to pursue successful writing careers and graduate studies. Many MSSU students I've worked with have so much talent and brilliance.”
This year’s team, she adds, is exceptional.
“Our team is committed to making things happen and bringing the publication to a higher caliber with incredible attention to detail,” said Dow. “They fully embrace their roles and look for opportunities to do even more.”
That dedication stands out to Dow.
“Anyone willing to spend their free time doing this sets themselves apart from the average student,” she said. “It’s very altruistic and special when students decide, ‘I’m not just here to fill my own cup—I'm here to serve others.’”
In a world where many literary journals have gone fully digital, bordertown remains proudly print-based—with plans to add digital access via its MSSU-housed site without sacrificing the physical edition.
“The fact that we remain a print journal is something that sets us apart,” Dow said. “It is a tangible reminder of all that we do in Language and Literature, and it’s something that we’re fostering in our classrooms.”
She also credits MSSU’s support for sustaining the print tradition.
“The support we receive from MSSU is something we’re so grateful for,” said Dow. “The fact that we've continued to prioritize bordertown being free for our students says a lot about our strong values as an institution.”
The literary magazine also publishes international and dual-credit students, as well as writers submitting in languages other than English—providing students of all backgrounds the opportunity to hold their work in print and experience that magical moment.
“bordertown is for MSSU students, but it’s more than that,” Dow said. “It’s for their families, for faculty and staff, for administrators, for the community. It’s for Joplin—it’s for everyone.”
The magazine appears at the Joplin Writers’ Faire, Third Thursday, and other campus and community events. Even those who don’t consider themselves readers often pick up a copy and discover something that opens their world. At these events, the editors also offer poetry on demand, a service where visitors provide a prompt and receive a personalized poem written on the spot.
“Having access to literature is having access to the world,” she said. “Everyone's poem, story, or essay is a slice of their world—their life. If we don't experience that, then we're just living in our own echo chamber.”
This belief in literature’s ability to expand empathy and possibility is central to bordertown’s mission.
For Dow, the 20th anniversary is both nostalgic and energizing. Looking ahead, she dreams of extending the magazine’s reach.
“I’ve always hoped that someday bordertown could be expanded for a wider audience,” Dow said. “We’re on the right path. We already have so much of what we need to become a literary journal for the public.”
No matter how it grows, the heart of the publication remains a space that celebrates students’ voices. bordertown has been a testament to the power of student voices, creative community, and literature’s ability to open one’s world.
“There is so much beauty in the world if we take the time to notice,” Dow said. “The world has enough joy to break your heart.”
For two decades, bordertown has helped us notice—and Dr. Hannah Dow ensures that legacy will continue.
